President Donald Trump offered an unusually frank assessment of one of his own endorsed candidates this week, describing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton—now running for the U.S. Senate—as “a pain in the ass” and “a little controversial” during appearances in Texas and Oklahoma. The remarks, delivered just weeks before the November midterms, underscored the complicated political dynamics surrounding Paxton’s campaign.
Speaking Thursday at a Peterbilt Motors Company plant in Denton, Texas, Trump recounted how Paxton had stood by him during the darkest days of his first impeachment. “When I was being hit by the radical left very hard—harder than very few people could have withstood it, I was being hit—Ken Paxton was at my side more than anybody,” Trump said. He then added with a laugh: “And I have to always remember that because he could be a pain in the ass sometimes, I’ll be honest.” Spotting Paxton in the audience, Trump continued: “Is he here, by the way? Oh, there he is—good. I didn’t even know if he’s here. I don’t care!”
Later that day, at a rally in Durant, Oklahoma, Trump again praised Paxton while acknowledging his polarizing reputation. “We’re going to send Ken Paxton to the United States Senate because he is—whether you love him or don’t love him—he’s a little controversial, just slightly,” Trump said. “But whether you love him or not, he’s probably the best or certainly one of the best but the best” attorneys general in the country.
The comments come as Paxton faces Democrat James Talarico in the race for the seat held by retiring Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas). A polling average compiled by Decision Desk HQ shows Talarico leading Paxton 48 percent to 45 percent. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the open seat a “toss-up.”
Paxton’s campaign has been dogged by controversy. Earlier this week, leaked audio surfaced in which Paxton complained that the Republicans’ midterm convention had damaged his polling. “So to be honest with you, the numbers—when we did that convention—it dropped our numbers. Everybody’s numbers dropped. Right now, yeah, not good,” Paxton said in the clip, obtained by The New York Times. His campaign dismissed the reporting as “more manipulated nonsense” and insisted his numbers have improved over the past month. The leaked audio, which showed the convention’s impact on Paxton’s polling, has further complicated his bid.
Despite the misgivings, Trump’s political operation has invested heavily in Paxton. The MAGA Inc. super PAC has already spent $20 million to boost his candidacy, even as some national Republicans—including Cornyn—have refused to help the scandal-plagued candidate with fundraising. Meanwhile, a super PAC aligned with Senate Republican leadership is prepared to spend at least $100 million in support of Paxton, a staggering sum that reflects the high stakes of the Texas Senate race.
Trump’s remarks, while affectionate in their own way, highlight the balancing act he faces as he campaigns for allies with checkered pasts. The president’s visit to Texas was part of a broader red-state midterm blitz that also included stops in Oklahoma, where he rallied supporters and touted his administration’s economic agenda amid rising concerns about inflation and manufacturing. The trip also included a stop at a Texas manufacturing plant, where Trump sought to tout his manufacturing record.
Paxton’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Hill. But the attorney general’s allies argue that Trump’s blunt talk is simply part of his appeal—and that Paxton’s loyalty to the president will ultimately carry more weight with GOP primary voters than his legal and ethical baggage.
With the election fast approaching, the Texas Senate race remains one of the most closely watched contests in the country. Trump’s willingness to publicly air his frustrations with Paxton may signal that even he recognizes the candidate’s vulnerabilities—but for now, the president appears committed to pushing Paxton across the finish line.
